Raising Boys To Be Good Men

Snapshot: A Pitcher, A Batter and a Cheerleader

With the weather starting to warm up, we’ve been venturing outside more with the fellas. Today they wanted to play with their T-ball set we got them last year. Without any prompting from us, the fellas took turns pitching and batting (hooray for sharing). They did pretty well considering they haven’t had much practice and with a few batting tips from us they were able to hit a few. I played softball from age 5 to 17 and had some of my most memorable and glorious childhood memories while playing ball so I was happy to get out there and play ball.

Jackson’s “friend” from down the street who told him boys don’t like pink or nail polish came over and she did pretty well pitching and batting. At some point in all the hoopla, Jackson said, “okay, now I’m gonna be the cheerleader” and started saying “Go Myles! Go Myles!” while he watched his brother take a few swings. Then Jackson said, “Okay Myles, it’s your turn to be the cheerleader and I’ll be the pitcher.”. Myles moved over but didn’t do any cheers. He was actually a little too close for comfort to the bat that was being swung and I was busy telling him to move back so no cheering occurred. But then they switched again and Jackson started cheering for the neighbor girl. He kept this up the rest of the time we played and the neighbor girl didn’t say anything to him about it. I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe she’s starting to understand that boys and girls can do and be anything they want.

My point in sharing this snapshot with you is to show you some of the progress we’ve made. Jackson didn’t think twice about being the cheerleader (I’ve shown him pictures of male cheerleaders at college games) and the little girl that has sassed him so much about liking pink, princesses, and nail polish did not take that opportunity to make a mean comment. I didn’t say anything to them in the moment. I just caught my husband’s eye and smiled. It was a small moment, but it’s those moments that keep me going in the work I’m trying to do to raise my sons to be good men and be who they want to be.